Case for shipping articles in an upright position and in spaced lateral separation

ABSTRACT

The case comprises wall panels, one or more bottom flaps, a bottom indexing panel containing one or more downwardly projecting female recesses into which the bottom of the packaged article is inserted, an internal bottom panel disposed beneath said bottom indexing panel containing apertures which fit over the periphery of said downwardly projecting female recesses, and means for spacing apart the internal bottom panel and bottom of the case so as to allow the downwardly projecting female recesses to pass through, and be locked in place by, the aperture of the internal bottom panel. The case further comprises a top indexing panel containing one or more upwardly projecting female recesses into which the top of the packaged article is inserted, an internal top panel disposed above the top indexing panel containing apertures which fit over the periphery of the upwardly projecting female recesses, one or more top flaps, and means for spacing apart the internal top panel and top of the case so as to allow the upwardly projecting female recesses to pass through, and be locked in place by, the apertures of the internal top panel. The shipping case can be provided with an article separator layer assembly when the case is used to package a plurality of layers of articles.

United States Patent [191 Gordon et al.

[ 51 Jan. 9, 1973 [54] CASE FOR SHIPPING ARTICLES IN AN UPRIGIIT POSITION AND IN SPACED LATERAL SEPARATION [7 5] lnventors: Robert Louis Gordon, Monroe; John Charles Slegele, Spring Valley, both of N.Y.

[73] Assignee: International Paper Company, New

York, N.Y.

[22] Filed: March 16, 1971 [21] App]. No.: 124,774

[52] US. Cl. ..206/65 Y, 229/14 C [51] Int. Cl. ..B65d 71/00 [58] Field of Search.....206l47 FR, 65 R, 65 E, 65 Y;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1956 Steam ..206/65 Y 12/1966 Geisler ..206/65 E X Primary Examiner-Joseph R. Leclair Assistant Examiner-Steven E. Lipman AttorneyLawrence W. Flynn [57] ABSTRACT The case comprises wall panels, one or more h ottoiii INTERNAL TOP PANEL ZOO INTERNAL BOTTOM PANEL 200 flaps, a bottom indexing panel containing one or more downwardly projecting female recesses into which the bottom of the packaged article is inserted, an internal bottom panel disposed beneath said bottom indexing panel containing apertures which fit over the periphery of said downwardly projecting female recesses, and means for spacing apart the internal bottom panel and bottom of the case so as to allow the downwardly projecting female recesses to pass through, and be locked in place by, the aperture of the internal bottom panel.

The case further comprises a top indexing panel containing one or more upwardly projecting female recesses into which the top of the packaged article is inserted, an internal top panel disposed above the'top indexing panel containing apertures which fit over the periphery of the upwardly projecting female recesses, one or more top flaps, and means for spacing apart the internal top panel and top of the case so as to allow the upwardly projecting female recesses to pass through, and be locked in place by, the apertures of the internal top panel.

The shipping case can be provided with an article separator layer assembly when the case is used to package a plurality of layers of articles.

20 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures TOP INDEXING PANEL BOTTOM PATENTEDJ-AN 9 I973 SHEET 1 BF 3 INDEXING PANEL IIO INTERNAL TOP PANEL FIBER PJRNS BOTTOM INDEXING ll l/ PANEL 7 IN TERNAL BOTTOM PANEL CARTON 3O PATENTEDJAN 91975 3,709,325

sum 2 0r 3 I FIG.2.

202 TOP PANEL I 200 lgo i -H N ,2 M 2 H63. TOP .2123

BOTTOM INDEXING PANEL IIIG. H3

INTERNAL BOTTOM i 1M 1.11 I 1 ,E

FIG.6.

In H7, 20

I20-- no PATENTEUJAH' 9197a SHEU 3 [IF 3 FIG] CASE FOR SHIPPING ARTICLES IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION AND IN SPACED LATERAL SEPARATION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to shipping cases and, more particularly, to cases for shipping articles wherein, for various reasons, it is necessary to maintain the articles in a substantially upright position and in spaced lateral separation from each other and adjoining portions of the case during transit.

Such cases are used for shipping a variety of items such as, for example, pirns or bobbins of natural and synthetic filaments; fragile bottled items such as liquor, medicinals, and drugs; and other articles which can be damaged upon exposure to the impacts normally encountered in transit of the case.

The shipping of certain polyester filaments is an illustrative example of a situation where it is necessary to protect the pirns of fiber from contact during shipment with abrasive articles; certain polyester filaments are extremely sensitive to very slight abrasive forces and readily fray or break at the surface layers on the pim if so exposed, often resulting in the total loss of the large quantity of filament on the pim.

Numerous shipping cases have heretofore been proposed for safely shipping fragile articles. In one such case, the individual articles are packaged between lateral separator partitions and are often further enclosed in a plastic bag to protect them during shipment. Such packages are expensive and are not entirely satisfactory because of the abrasive forces which can be exerted by the lateral partitions against the surfaces of the article upon subjection of the case to impact.

In another package, unrestrained article indexing panels are provided at the top and bottom of the package to grasp the top and bottom portions of the articles in an attempt to prevent lateral movement of the articles upon impact. These indexing panels typically comprise a corrugated cardboard panel containing a plurality of die cut holes which engage the top and bottom of the articles. Among the disadvantages of such cases are the abrasion to the articles which occurs when the rough die cut apertures rub against the article. Moreover, since the indexing panels are unrestrained, they have a tendency, upon subjection to impact, to crumple and roll up along their edges with the result that they no longer effectively perform their function of maintaining the articles in an upright position and in spaced lateral relationship from each other.

In yet another prior art case, top and bottom indexing panels are provided which are integrally attached to the walls of the case. These panels contain apertures into which the bottom and top portions of the articles are insertable. While such an arrangement reduces damage to the indexing panels upon lateral impact, the problem still remains of the corrugated die cut holes abrading the article which they are restraining; moreover, there is a tendency for the holes in the indexing panels to wear away about their periphery during transit and upon impact and no longer firmly restrain the tops and bottoms of the article due to the enlargement of the periphery.

A further disadvantage of cartons employing top and bottom indexing panels occurs in situations where it is desirable to remove only one article from a case consupport strength. lf the shipping case will not insure that the articles will remain in the upright position during transit, it become necessary to provide for reinforced and stronger wall panels in the package to provide the vertical stacking strength ordinarily required. Such a measure, of course, results in a more expensive package. It is also apparent that great damage can be done to the contents of the case upon subjection to impact if the contents are thrown against each other or against the walls of the case.

It is, therefore, a general object of this invention to provide an inexpensive and readily assembled case for shipping one or more articles in a substantially upright position and in spaced lateral relationship from each other and from the adjoining walls of the case.

It is another object of this invention to provide a shipping case wherein the strength of the articles contained therein is employed to provide enhanced stacking strength of the case.

It is another object of this invention to provide a shipping case which effectively prevents lateral movement of the articles contained therein when the case is subjected to an impact.

It is another object of this invention to restrain the tops and bottoms of packaged articles against lateral movement upon impact by means of indexing panels which are not damaged upon subjection of the case to impact thereby losing their effectiveness. I

It is another object of this invention to restrain the tops and bottoms of the articles of the case against lateral movement by means of smooth non-abrasive surfaces which cannot be worn away and enlarged during transit.

It is another object of this invention to provide a shipping case which effectively minimizes disengagement of the articles from the indexing panels upon subjection of the case to impact.

It is a further object of this invention to provide flexible indexing panels which are readily disengaged from the article to permit removing one article at a time without the need for removing and then replacing an entire indexing panel.

These and other objects of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a complete reading of this specification and, in particular, the description of the preferred embodiments of this invention and drawings describing these preferred embodiments which are presented hereinbelow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The advantageous features enumerated hereinabove are obtained by providing a shipping case which comprises a plurality of wall panels which are preferably foldably interconnected to form a wall panel unit, with an end panel of this unit having foldably attached thereto a sealing flap which is affixed to the opposed end panel of the unit.

The bottom portion of the case comprises at least one bottom flap which is preferably foldably connected to a wall panel, and a bottom indexing panel for indexing and supporting the articles to be packaged in the case. The bottom indexing panel contains therein at least one female recess projecting in a substantially downward direction from the plane of the panel; the female recess can take any of a variety of configurations which are adapted to receive at least a portion of the bottom section of the article to be packed so as to index the article in spaced lateral separation from adjoining articles and portions of the case and to effectively prevent any substantial lateral movement of the bottom section of the article relative to the bottom indexing panel. There is also provided an internal bottom panel which is disposed beneath the bottom indexing panel; this internal bottom panel has a transverse area which fits snugly between the wall panels of the case and contains therein at least one aperture which is adapted to fit snugly over the periphery of the downwardly projecting female recesses of the bottom indexing panel. Means are provided for maintaining the internal bottom panel in spaced relationship to the bottom of the case so as to allow the downwardly projecting female recesses to pass through, and be locked in place by, the apertures of the internal bottom panel. This locking feature effectively eliminates the possibility of any substantial lateral movement of the bottom indexing panel when the carton is subject to impact thereby assuring maintenance of the desired spaced lateral relationship between the articles during transit.

The top portion of the case comprises a top indexing panel for indexing the upper portion of the articles in the case, the top indexing panel containing therein at least one female recess projecting upwardly from the plane of the top indexing panel; this female recess is adapted to fit snugly over at least a portion of the top section of the article. There also is provided an internal top panel which contains therein at least a single aperture which is adapted to fit snugly over that portion of the periphery of the upwardly projecting female recess of the top indexing panel into which the top portion of the article is inserted. The internal top panel has a transverse area which fits snugly between the wall panels of the case. The case further comprises at least one top flap which is preferably foldably connected to a wall panel. Means are provided for maintaining the internal top panel in spaced relationship to the top of the case so as to allow the upwardly projecting female recesses to pass through, and be locked in place by, the apertures of the internal top panel. This locking feature effectively prevents any substantial lateral movement of the top indexing panel when the case is subjected to impact.

The shipping case of this invention can be employed to ship a plurality of articles either in a single layer or in a plurality of layers. Multi-layered shipping cases are readily prepared by providing a separator layer assembly between each layer of articles. A typical separator layer assembly is described in greater detail hereinbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded view, in perspective, of a preferred embodiment of a shipping case of this invention and illustrates fiber pims as a typical article for packaging in the case.

FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5 are sectional views taken along the lines 2-2, 3-3, 44, and 5-5, respectively, of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6 'of the assembled shipping case of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view in perspective illustrating 1 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of the shipping case of this invention is conveniently prepared from three basic Part5:

1. a conventional carton blank from which the wall panels, top flaps and bottom flaps of the case ar fabricated;

2. an indexing panel which serves as both the top and bottom indexing panel, as hereafter described, and

3. an apertured panel which serves as both the internal top and bottom panel, as hereafter described.

The Carton Blank The assembled carton blank 30 is shown in FIG. 1 and comprises foldably interconnected wall panels 31, 32, 33 and 34. Panel 34 is provided with a sealing flap 35 which is foldably connected to panel 34. Flap 35 is affixed to the inner edge area of panel 33 by means of staples 36, adhesive, glue, or other adhesive means. Wall panel dimensions are selected to provide an assembled shipping case of substantially rectangular configuration. The dimensions of the wall panels are not significant although it is preferred that opposed wall panels have substantially equal dimensions.

Bottom flaps 41, 42, 43 and 44 are foldably connected to wall panels 31, 32, 33 and 34, respectively. Top flaps 45, 46, 47 and 48 are foldably connected to wall panels 31, 32, 33 and 34, respectively.

The blank of FIG. 1 can be prepared from a variety of known packaging materials. It is preferably prepared from a single unit of die-cut corrugated board. The thickness of the blank is not significant and is ordinarily selected to provide the strength required for the envisioned use of the case.

The Indexing Panel A preferred embodiment of the indexing panel 1 10 is shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4. As discussed hereinabove, and as will be made clear hereinbelow, indexing panel serves as both the bottom indexing panel and top indexing panel of the case of this invention, depending upon the orientation of the projections 112 found,on panel 110. If these projections 1 12 extend downwardly from panel 110, as in FIG. 4, panel 110 serves as a bottom indexing panel since the bottoms of the articles can be inserted into the female recesses of these projections. If projections 112 extend upwardly from panel 110, as in FIG. 3, panel 110 serves as a top indexing .panel since the female recesses of the projections can turally identical, differing only in the orientation of projections 112, common identifying numerals will be used.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, it is seen that indexing panel 110 comprises a flat planar sheet 111 having a transverse area adapted to fit snugly between the wall panels of the assembled shipping case. Panel 110 contains disposed therein a plurality of substantially evenly spaced projections 112 extending vertically away from the plane of sheet 1 l l.

The nature of an illustrative projection 112 is best seen in FIGS. 3 or 4. Referring to these Figures, it is seen that projection 112 comprises a frustro-conical wall portion 113 to which is integrally attached a cylindrical wall member 114 containing disposed therein a recess 115 which defines an inwardly projecting male plug 116. The frustro-conical and cylindrical wall portions 1 13 and 1 14 define a female recess 117 extending away from sheet 1 11. The top portion 118 (see FIG. 6) or bottom portion 119 (see FIG. 6) of article 120 is snugly inserted into the female recess 1 17 of projection l 12 engaging only the inner surfaces of the cylindrical wall 114. The frustro-conical section 113 of projection 1 12 is provided as a means for effectively guiding panel 1 over the top portions 1 18 of article 120 or for guiding the bottom of portion 119 of article 120 into recess 1 17.

The configuration of female recess 117 can be varied to suit whatever shape is required by the tops and bottoms of the articles to be packaged in the shipping case of this invention. The particular geometry described in FIGS. 3 and 4 is illustrative only.

Indexing panel 110 can be fabricated from various known materials. However, it is preferably fabricated from a plastic material which draws well on thermoforming equipment, and which has a smooth surface so that any contact which may occur between the indexing panel 110 and the articles in the shipping case will not cause abrasion or other damage to the articles. It is likewise preferred that the plastic be flexible and give somewhat upon impact so as to not cause shattering or cracking of the plastic upon subjection of the shipping case to impact.

A certain amount of clarity is also preferred to permit inspection, at a glance, of the contents of the case. Flexibility of the plastic is additionally preferred to permit one end of the indexing panel, when used as a top indexing panel, to be peeled away so as to allow removal of a single article from the package without the necessity of removing the entire panel. Among the plastics which may be employed in preparing panel 1 10 are polyethylene, polystyrene, and polypropylene; polyethylene is a preferred fabrication material.

The Apertured Panel A preferred embodiment of the apertured panel 200 is shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5. As discussed hereinabove, and as will be made clear hereinbelow, apertured panel serves as both the internal bottom panel and the internal top panel of the case of this invention, depending upon the orientation of flaps 201 and fingers 202 with respect to panel 200.

If flaps 201 and fingers 202 project downwardly from panel 200, as in FIG. 5, panel 200 serves as an internal bottom panel; if flaps 201 and fingers 202 project upwardly from panel 200, as in FIG. 2, panel 200 serves as an internal top panel. Since the internal bottom panel and internal top panel are structurally alike, differing only in the orientation of flaps 201 and fingers 202, common identifying numerals will be used.

The downwardly projecting flaps 201 and fingers 202 of panel 200 (see FIG. 5) are disposed to communicate with the inner surfaces of bottom flaps 41 and 43 and serve to maintain panel 200 in spaced relationship from bottom flaps 41 and 43. The upwardly projecting flaps 201 and fingers 202 of panel 200 (see FIG. 2) are disposed to communicate with the inner surfaces of top flaps 45 and 47 and serve to maintain panel 200 in spaced relationship from top flaps 45 and 47.

Panel 200 contains therein a plurality of apertures 203 which are adapted to peripherally circumscribe the portion of the downwardly projecting female recesses 117 of panel into which the bottom portion of the article to be packaged is inserted and the upwardly projecting female recesses l 17 of panel 1 10 into which the top portion of the article to be packaged is inserted.

Apertured panels 200 are maintained in spaced relationship from the bottom and top flaps of the case, in order to allow the projecting female recesses 117 of panel 110 to pass through, and be locked in place by, the apertures 203 of panel 200. Panel 200 has a transverse area adapted to fit snugly between the walls of the assembled shipping case thereby cooperating with indexing panel 110 to prevent any substantial lateral movement of either the tops or bottoms of the articles in the shipping case.

Panel 200 can be maintained in spaced relationship from the top and bottom flaps of the case by flaps 201 alone. As is shown in the drawings, flaps 201 are foldably connected to the periphery of panel 200 and are dimensioned to produce the desired spacing between panel 200 and the bottom or top of the case.

When panel 200 is provided with flaps 201 for maintaining said spaced relationship. fingers 202, which are foldably attached at one end to panel 200, are provided to keep panel 200 from sagging or coming into close proximity with the adjoining bottom or top flaps of the case, thus preventing female recesses 117 of panel 1 10 from possibly dislodging from apertures 203 of panel 200. Thus fingers 202 are oriented in a direction identical to that of flaps 201 and serve the same general purpose as flaps 201.

In another embodiment of apertured panel 200, the desired spaced relationship between panel 200 and the adjoining bottom or top flaps of the shipping case is achieved solely by the use of fingers 202, with flaps 201 being omitted entirely from panel 200. Other suitable means for maintaining the requisite spacing between panel 200 and the adjoining bottom or top flaps of the shipping case can be employed,

Assembly of the Shipping Case At this point, it becomes convenient to discuss the assembly of a preferred embodiment of the case of this invention. FIG. 1 is an exploded view of such a preferred embodiment and shows the packing therein, in a single layer, of a plurality of typical fiber pirns 120 and the positioning and arrangement of indexing panels 1 10 and apertured panels 200 within the case.

A corrugated board carton blank 30, as described hereinabove, is partially assembled in a conventional manner to the extent shown in FIG. 1. It can be seen that the walls 31, 32, 33 and 34 of the carton have been formed but that the bottom flaps 41, 42, 43 and 44 and top flaps 45, 46, 47 and 48 remain open. Bottom flaps 41-44 are then folded into place to form a bottom for the carton; external bottom flaps 42 and 44 are sealed in place with a strip of tape 140 (see FIG. 6) or other suitable means. An internal bottom panel 200 is then placed within the carton with downwardly projecting flaps 201 and fingers 202 maintaining internal bottom panel 200 in spaced relationship (see FIG. 6) from the bottom of the carton formed by bottom flaps 41 and 43. Bottom indexing panel 110 is then placed within the carton on top of internal bottom panel 200 in such manner that the downwardly projecting female recesses 117 of the panel 110 are inserted into apertures 203 of internal bottom panel 200 and pass through these apertures and into the space 160 (see FIG. 6) between internal bottom panel 200 and the bottom of the carton, space 160 being provided by downwardly projecting flaps 201 and fingers 202. The bottoms 119 of pirns 120 are then carefully inserted into the downwardly projecting female recesses 117 of bottom indexing panel 110. Apertures 203 of internal bottom panel 200 engage the downwardly projecting female recesses 117 of bottom indexing panel 110 to lock panel 110 in place so that any substantial lateral movement of bottom indexing panel 110 relative to internal bottom panel 200 is prevented. Similarly, since the transverse area of internal bottom panel 200 is such as to allow its snug fit between the walls of the shipping case, any substantial lateral movement of internal bottom'panel 200 within the case is effectively prevented. Thus, bottom indexing panel 110 and internal bottom panel 200 cooperate to simultaneously maintain the bottoms 119 of the pirns 120 in spaced relationship to each other while preventing any substantial lateral movement of the pirns within the case relative to each other or adjoining surfaces of the case.

Assembly of the top portion of the case is initiated by placing the top indexing panel 110 over the top portions 118 of the mounted pirns 120, so that the top portion 118 nests within the upwardly projecting female recesses 117 of top indexing panel 110. The frustoconical shape of the female recesses 117 of both the top and bottom indexing panels 110 facilitates entry of the appropriate portion of the pirn 120 into these indexing panels. Once top indexing panel 110 is firmly mounted on the tops 118 of pirns 120, internal top panel 200 is placed on top of top indexing panel 1 so that the apertures 203 of internal top panel 200 peripherally circumscribe the upwardly projecting female recesses 117 of top indexing panel 110. Flaps 201 and fingers 202 of top internal panel 200 project upwardly from panel 200 to provide the desired spaced relationship between internal top panel 200 and the top of the shipping case as formed by top flaps 45 and 47. The upwardly projecting female recesses 117 of top indexing panel 110 pass through, and are locked in place by, the apertures 203 of internal top panel 200. These recesses 117 are permitted to pass through the apertures 203 of internal top panel 200 by the spacing 180 (see FIG. 6) maintained between internal top panel 200 and the adjacent top flaps 45 and 47. Apertures 203 embrace female recesses 117 of top indexing panel 1 10 to effectively lock panel 110 in place and prevent any substantial lateral movement of top indexing panel 110 relative to internal top panel 200. Since the transverse area of internal top panel 200 is such as to permit its snug fit between the walls of the shipping case, any substantial lateral movement of internal top panel 200 is also effectively prevented. Thus, top indexing panel and internal top panel 200 cooperate to maintain the tops 118 of pirns 120 in the desired spaced relationship in the shipping case while simultaneously preventing any substantial lateral movement of the tops 118 of pirns 120. i

Assembly of the case is then completed by folding top flaps 45-48 into place to form the top of the case and sealing these panels in place with a strip of tape (see FIG. 6) or other suitable sealing means. Multi-Iayered Shipping Case The shipping cases of this invention are adaptable for packaging a plurality of articles in a plurality of adjoining vertical layers. In such a case, the carton blank 30 used is identical in all respects to that already described except that wall panels 31-34 are of extended height to accommodate whatever case height is necessitated by the plurality of layers of articles present therein. In a multi-layered shipping case, the bottoms of the articles comprising the bottom layer of the case are inserted in the downwardly projecting female recesses 117 of a bottom indexing panel 110 in a manner similar to that already described. However, it becomes necessary to provide a separator layer assembly between each adjoining vertical layer of articles as the additional layers are added. In general, such an assembly consists of a multi-layered unit which comprises a top indexing panel, as described hereinabove, whose upwardly projecting female recesses engage the tops of the articles of the bottom layer; an apertured first separator panel disposed above the top indexing panel, with the apertures peripherally circumscribing the upright female recesses of the top indexing panel; an apertured second separator panel disposed above said apertured first separator panel; a bottom indexing panel, as described hereinabove, whose downwardly projecting female recesses receive the bottoms of the articles in a first upper layer and are peripherally circumscribed by the apertures of said second separator panel; and means for maintaining said apertured first and second separator panels in spaced relationship so that the female recesses of the top and bottom indexing panel will pass through, and be locked in place by, the apertures of the first and second separator panels, respectively. The tops of the articles comprising the upper most layer of the case are secured in a manner described hereinabove for single layered cases. If more than two layers of articles are contemplated, the number of such separator assemblies required in the finished case is one less than the number of layers of articles in the case.

An exploded view of a preferred embodiment of a separator layer assembly is shown in FIG. 7 with FIG. 8 showing a sectional view of the assembled separator layer. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the separator layer assembly comprises a top indexing panel 110, identical to that already described in FIGS. 1 and 3 which fits over the tops of pirns 191 which make up the lower layer of the case in a manner shown in FIG. 7. Resting on top of top indexing panel 110 is an apertured first separator panel 200 identical to internal top panel 200 previously described in FIGS. 1 and 2. The apertures 203 of panel 200 peripherally circumscribe the upward projections 112 of top indexing panel 110. Resting on top of the first separator panel 200 is an optional separator panel 400 which is maintained in spaced relationship from underlying first separator panel 200 by means of upwardly projecting foldable flaps 201. First separator panel 200 may optionally be provided with fingers 202 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Resting on top of optional separator panel 400 is a second separator panel 200 which is identical to internal bottom panel 200 previously described in FIGS. 1 and 5. The second separator panel 200 is maintained in spaced relationship from separator panel 400 by downwardly projecting foldable flaps 201. Again, fingers 202 as described in FIGS. 1 and 5 can optionally be provided in second separator panel 200. Resting on top of second separator panel 200 is a bottom indexing panel 110 which is substantially identical to the bottom indexing panel 110 previously described in FIGS. 1 and 4. The downwardly projecting female recesses 117 of bottom indexing panel 110 pass through and are locked in place by, the apertures 203 of the second separator panel 200. The bottoms of the upper most layer of pirns 192 are then inserted into the downwardly projecting female recesses 117 of bottom indexing panel 110. Once the uppermost layer of pirns 192 is in place, the top of the case is formed, closed, and sealed in a manner substantially identical to that already described hereinabove.

If optional separator panel 400 is eliminated, the upwardly projecting flaps 201 of first separator panel 200 will communicate with downwardly projecting flaps 201 of second separator panel 200 to maintain the first and second separator panels in the requisite spaced relationship which permits the female recesses 117 of the top and bottom indexing panels 110 to pass through, and be locked in place by, the apertures 203 of the first or second separator panels 200, respectively.

FIGS. 7 and 8 provide an illustrative separator layer assembly only and, of course, a variety of other such assemblies can be employed in the novel shipping case of this invention.

The specific embodiments and structure shown herein are illustrative only and such modifications and alterations thereof as would be apparent to those skilled in the art are contemplated to fall within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. A case for the shipment of an article in a substantially upright position and in spaced lateral separation from adjoining articles and portions of said case, comprising:

l. a plurality of wall panels surrounding the article contents; 7

2. at least one bottom flap forming the bottom of said case;

3. at least one top flap forming the top of said case;

4. a bottom indexing panel, said bottom indexing panel containing therein at least one female recess projecting in a substantially downward direction from said bottom indexing panel, said recess peripherally circumscribing at least a portion of the bottom of an article;

5. an internal bottom panel disposed between said bottom indexing panel and the bottom of said case, said internal bottom panel containing therein at least one aperture peripherally circumscribing the portion of said female recess of said bottom indexing panel into which said portion of the bottom of said article is inserted;

6. means maintaining said internal bottom panel in spaced relationship to the bottom of said case so as to allow said downwardly projecting female recess to pass through the aperture of said internal bottom panel;

7. a top indexing panel containing therein at least one female recess projecting in a substantially upright direction from said top indexing panel, said recess peripherally circumscribing at least a portion of the top of said article;

8. an internal top panel disposed between said top indexing panel and the top of said case, said internal top panel containing therein at least one aperture peripherally circumscribing the portion of said female recess of said top indexing panel into which said portion of the top of said article is inserted; and

9. means maintaining said internal top panel in spaced relationship to the top of said case so as to allow said upwardly projecting female recess to pass through the aperture of said internal top panel.

2. The case of claim 1 wherein said bottom indexing panel and said top indexing panel are fabricated from a thermo-formed plastic material.

3. The case of claim 2 wherein said plastic material is polyethylene.

4. The case of claim 1 wherein said top and bottom indexing panels contain a plurality of female recesses, and wherein said internal bottom panel and internal top panel each contain a plurality of apertures corresponding, respectively, to the number of said female recesses.

5. The case of claim 1 wherein said internal top and bottom panels each have a transverse area permitting a snug fit of said panels between the wall panels of said case.

6. The case of claim 1 wherein said means maintaining said internal bottom panels in spaced relationship to the bottom of said case comprises flaps foldably connected to the periphery of said internal bottom panel, said flaps being folded downwardly from said internal bottom panel and contacting the bottom of said case, said flaps dimensioned to produce the desired spacing between said internal bottom panel and the bottom of the case.

7. The case of claim 1 wherein said means maintaining said internal top panel in spaced relationship to the top of said case comprises flaps foldably connected to the periphery of said internal top panel, said flaps being folded upwardly from said internal top panel and contacting the top of said case, said flaps dimensioned to produce the desired spacing between said internal top panel and the top of the case.

8. The case of claim 6 wherein said means maintaining said internal top panel in spaced relationship to the top of said case comprises flaps foldably connected to the periphery of said internal top panel, said flaps being folded upwardly from said internal top panel and contacting the top of said case, said flaps dimensioned to produce the desired spacing between said internal top panel and the top of the case.

9. The case of claim 1 wherein said means maintaining said internal bottom panel in spaced relationship to the bottom of the case comprises a plurality of downwardly projecting fingers foldably attached, at one end, to said internal bottom panel, the unrestrained end of said fingers contacting the bottom of the case, said fingers dimensioned to produce the desired spacing between said internal bottom panel and the bottom of the case.

10. The case of claim 1 wherein said means maintaining said internal top panel in spaced relationship to the top of said case comprises a plurality of upwardly projecting fingers foldably attached, at one end, to said internal top panel, the unrestrained end of said fingers contacting the top of the case, said fingers dimensioned to produce the desired spacing between said internal top panel and the top of the case.

1 1. The case of claim 9 wherein said means maintaining said internal top panel in spaced relationship to the top of said case comprises a plurality of upwardly projecting fingers foldably attached, at one end, to said internal top panel, the unrestrained end of said fingers contacting the top of the case, said fingers dimensioned to produce the desired spacing between said internal top panel and the top of the case.

12. The case of claim 8 wherein said internal bottom panel and said internal top panel each further includes a plurality of fingers foldably attached, at one end, to said internal bottom panel and said internal top panel, said fingers projecting downwardly from said internal bottom panel and upwardly from said internal top panel and contacting the bottom and top respectively, of the case, said fingers dimensioned to produce the desired spacing between said internal bottom and top panels and the bottom and top, respectively, of the case.

13. The case of claim 1 containing a plurality of vertical layers of articles and further including means preventing any substantial lateral movement of, and for maintaining spaced lateral separation of, the top and bottom portions of articles in adjoining vertical layers of said case.

14. The case of claim 1 wherein a plurality of layers of packaged articles are employed further including a separator layer assembly disposed between adjacent layers of articles, said assembly comprising:

a. a top indexing panel containing therein at least one female recess projecting in a substantially upright direction from said top indexing panel, said recess peripherally circumscribing at least a portion of the top section of an article in a first lower layer of the case;

b. a first separator panel disposed above said top indexing panel, said first separator panel containing therein at least a single aperture peripherally circumscribing the portion 'of said upwardly projecting female recess of said top indexing panel into which said portion of the top section of said article is inserted;

c. a bottom indexing panel, said bottom indexing panel containing therein at least one female recess projecting in a substantially downward direction from said bottom indexing panel, said recess peripherally circumscribing at least a portion of the bottom section of an article in a second upper layer in the case;

d. a second separator panel disposed beneath said bottom indexing panel, said second separator panel containing therein at least a single aperture peripherally circumscribing the portion of said downwardly projecting female recess of said bottom indexing panel into which said portion of the bottom section of said article is inserted; and

e. means maintaining said first and second separator panels in spaced relationship so as to allow the female recess of said top and bottom indexing panels to pass through, and be locked in place by, the aperture of said first and second separator panels, respectively.

15. The case of claim 14 further including a third separator. panel disposed between said first and second separator panels, said first and second separator panels each being maintained in spaced relationship from said third separator panel.

16. The case of claim 14 wherein said means maintaining said first and second separator panels in spaced relationship comprises flaps foldably connected to the periphery of said first and second separator panels, the flaps of said first separator panel being folded upwardly and those of said second separator panel being folded downwardly, said folded flaps of said first and second separator panel communicating with each other to provide required spaced relationship.

17. The case of claim 16 further including a third separator panel disposed between said first and second separator panels, said first and second separator panels each being maintained in spaced relationship from said third separator panel.

18. The case of claim 17 wherein said first and second separator panels each further includes a plurality of fingers foldably attached, at one end, to said panels, said fingers projecting upwardly from said first separator panel and downwardly from said second separator panel and contacting a surface of said third separator panel, said fingers dimensioned to produce the desired spaced relationship between said first and second separator panels and said third separator panel.

19. A case for the shipment of an article in a substantially upright position and in spaced lateral separation from adjoining articles and portions of said case, comprising:

l. a carton comprising wall panels and a top and bottom;

2. a bottom indexing panel, said bottom indexing panel containing therein at least one female recess projecting in a substantially downward direction from said bottom indexing panel, said recess peripherally circumscribing at least a portion of the bottom of an article;

3. means distinct from said bottom indexing panel communicating with said downwardly projecting female recess of said bottom indexing panel preventing substantial lateral movement of said downwardly projecting female recess;

4. a top indexing panel containing therein at least one female recess projecting in a substantially upright direction from said top indexing panel, said recess peripherally circumscribing at least a portion of the top of an article; and

5. means distinct from said top indexing panel communicating with said upwardly projecting female recess of said top indexing panel preventing substantial lateral movement of said upwardly projecting female recess.

20. A case for the shipment of an article in a substantially upright position and in spaced lateral separation from adjointing articles and parts of said case, comprising:

a plurality of wall panels surrounding the article contents;

at least one bottom flap forming the bottom of said case;

at least one top flap forming the top of said case; 4.

a bottom indexing panel, said bottom indexing panel containing therein at least one female recess projecting in a substantially downward direction from said bottom indexing panel, said recess peripherally circumscribing at least a portion of the bottom of an article;

. an internal bottom panel disposed between said from said wall panels and bottom flap of said case maintaining said internal bottom panel in spaced relationship to the bottom of said case so as to allow said downwardly projecting female recess to pass through the aperture of said internal bottom panel;

7. a top indexing panel containing therein at least one female recess projecting in a substantially upright direction from said top indexing panel, said recess peripherally circumscribing at least a portion of the top of an article;

. an internal top panel disposed between said top indexing panel and the top of said case, said internal top panel containing therein at least one aperture which peripherally circumscribes the portion of said female recess of said top indexing panel into which said portion of the top of said article is inserted; and

9. means distinct from said internal top panel and from said wall panels and top flap of said case maintaining said internal top panel in spaced relationship to the top of said case so as to allow said upwardly projecting female recess to pass through the aperture of said internal top panel.

Janua y 9, 1973 I Dated Patent No.

Inventor(s') It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 12, become should be becomes Column 4, line 63, should be column 10, line 12, "said" should be an Signed and sealed this 29th day of May 1973.

(SEAL) Attest ROBERT GOTTSCHALK EDWARD MOFLETCHER R; Attestlng Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A case for the shipment of an article in a substantially upright position and in spaced lateral separation from adjoining articles and portions of said case, comprising:
 1. a plurality of wall panels surrounding the article contents;
 2. at least one bottom flap forming the bottom of said case;
 3. at least one top flap forming the top of said case;
 4. a bottom indexing panel, said bottom indexing panel containing therein at least one female recess projecting in a substantially downward direction from said bottom indexing panel, said recess peripherally circumscribing at least a portion of the bottom of an article;
 5. an internal bottom panel disposed between said bottom indexing panel and the bottom of said case, said internal bottom panel containing therein at least one aperture peripherally circumscribing the portion of said female recess of said bottom indexing panel into which said portion of the bottom of said article is inserted;
 6. means maintaining said internal bottom panel in spaced relationship to the bottom of said case so as to allow said downwardly projecting female recess to pass through the aperture of said internal bottom panel;
 7. a top indexing panel containing therein at least one female recess projecting in a substantially upright direction from said top indexing panel, said recess peripherally circumscribing at least a portion of the top of said article;
 8. an internal top panel disposed between said top indexing panel and the top of said case, said internal top panel containing therein at least one aperture peripherally circumscribing the portion of said female recess of said top indexing panel into which said portion of the top of said article is inserted; and
 9. means maintaining said internal top panel in spaced relationship to the top of said case so as to allow said upwardly projecting female recess to pass through the aperture of said internal top panel.
 2. at least one bottom flap forming the bottom of said case;
 2. a bottom indexing panel, said bottom indexing panel containing therein at least one female recess projecting in a substantially downward direction from said bottom indexing panel, said recess peripherally circumscribing at least a portion of the bottom of an article;
 2. at least one bottom flap forming the bottom of said case;
 2. The case of claim 1 wherein said bottom indexing panel and said top indexing panel are fabricated from a thermo-formed plastic material.
 3. The case of claim 2 wherein said plastic material is polyethylene.
 3. at least one top flap forming the top of said case;
 3. at least one top flap forming the top of said case;
 3. means distinct from said bottom indexing panel communicating with said downwardly projecting female recess of said bottom indexing panel preventing substantial lateral movement of said downwardly projecting female recess;
 4. a bottom indexing panel, said bottom indexing panel containing therein at least one female recess projecting in a substantially downward direction from said bottom indexing panel, said recess peripherally circumscribing at least a portion of the bottom of an article;
 4. a top indexing panel containing therein at least one female recess projecting in a substantially upright direction from said top indexing panel, said recess peripherally circumscribing at least a portion of the top of an article; and
 4. a bottom indexing panel, said bottom indexing panel containing therein at least one female recess projecting in a substantially downward direction from said bottom indexing panel, said recess peripherally circumscribing at least a portion of the bottom of an article;
 4. The case of claim 1 wherein said top and bottom indexing panels contain a plurality of female recesses, and wherein said internal bottom panel and internal top panel each contain a plurality of apertures corresponding, respectively, to the number of said female recesses.
 5. an internal bottom panel disposed between said bottom indexing panel and the bottom of said case, said internal bottom panel containing therein at least one aperture peripherally circumscribing the portion of said female recess of said bottom indexing panel into which said portion of the bottom of said article is inserted;
 5. means distinct from said top indexing panel communicating with said upwardly projecting female recess of said top indexing panel preventing substantial lateral movement of said upwardly projecting female recess.
 5. The case of claim 1 wherein said internal top and bottom panels each have a transverse area permitting a snug fit of said panels between the wall panels of said case.
 5. an internal bottom panel disposed between said bottom indexing panel and the bottom of said case, said internal bottom panel containing therein at least one aperture which peripherally circumscribes the bottom of said female recess of said bottom indexing panel into which said portion of the bottom of said article is inserted;
 6. means distinct from said internal bottom panel and from said wall panels and bottom flap of said case maintaining said internal bottom panel in spaced relationship to the bottom of said case so as to allow said downwardly projecting female recess to pass through the aperture of said internal bottom panel;
 6. means maintaining said internal bottom panel in spaced relationship to the bottom of said case so as to allow said downwardly projecting female recess to pass through the aperture of said internal bottom panel;
 6. The case of claim 1 wherein said means maintaining said internal bottom panels in spaced relationship to the bottom of said case comprises flaps foldably connected to the periphery of said internal bottom panel, said flaps being folded downwardly from said internal bottom panel and contacting the bottom of said case, said flaps dimensioned to produce the desired spacing between said internal bottom panel and the bottom of the case.
 7. The case of claim 1 wherein said means maintaining said internal top panel in spaced relationship to the top of said case comprises flaps foldably connected to the periphery of said internal top panel, said flaps being folded upwardly from said internal top panel and contacting the top of said case, said flaps dimensioned to produce the desired spacing between said internal top panel and the top of the case.
 7. a top indexing panel containing therein at least one female recess projecting in a substantially upright direction from said top indexing panel, said recess peripherally circumscribing at least a portion of the top of said article;
 7. a top indexing panel containing therein at least one female recess projecting in a substantially upright direction from said top indexing panel, said recess peripherally circumscribing at least a portion of the top of an article;
 8. an internal top panel disposed between said top indexing panel and the top of said case, said internal top panel containing therein at least one aperture which peripherally circumscribes the portion of said female recess of said top indexing panel into which said portion of the top of said article is inserted; and
 8. an internal top panel disposed between said top indexing panel and the top of said case, said internal top panel containing therein at least one aperture peripherally circumscribing the portion of said female recess of said top indexing panel into which said portion of the top of said article is inserted; and
 8. The case of claim 6 wherein said means maintaining said internal top panel in spaced relationship to the top of said case comprises flaps foldably connected to the periphery of said internal top panel, said flaps being folded upwardly from said internal top panel and contacting the top of said case, said flaps dimensioned to produce the desired spacing between said internal top panel and the top of the case.
 9. The case of claim 1 wherein said means maintaining said internal bottom panel in spaced relationship to the bottom of the case comprises a plurality of downwardly projecting fingers foldably attached, at one end, to said internal bottom panel, the unrestrained end of said fingers contacting the bottom of the case, said fingers dimensioned to produce the desired spacing between said internal bottom panel and the bottom of the case.
 9. means maintaining said internal top panel in spaced relationship to the top of said case so as to allow said upwardly projecting female recess to pass through the aperture of said internal top panel.
 9. means distinct from said internal top panel and from said wall panels and top flap of said case maintaining said internal top panel in spaced relationship to the top of said case so as to allow said upwardly projecting female recess to pass through the aperture of said internal top panel.
 10. The case of claim 1 wherein said means maintaining said internal top panel in spaced relationship to the top of said case comprises a plurality of upwardly projecting fingers foldably attached, at one end, to said internal top panel, the unrestrained end of said fingers contacting the top of the case, said fingers dimensioned to produce the desired spacing between said internal top panel and the top of the case.
 11. The case of claim 9 wherein said means maintaining said internal top panel in spaced relationship to the top of said case comprises a plurality of upwardly projecting fingers foldably attached, at one end, to said internal top pAnel, the unrestrained end of said fingers contacting the top of the case, said fingers dimensioned to produce the desired spacing between said internal top panel and the top of the case.
 12. The case of claim 8 wherein said internal bottom panel and said internal top panel each further includes a plurality of fingers foldably attached, at one end, to said internal bottom panel and said internal top panel, said fingers projecting downwardly from said internal bottom panel and upwardly from said internal top panel and contacting the bottom and top respectively, of the case, said fingers dimensioned to produce the desired spacing between said internal bottom and top panels and the bottom and top, respectively, of the case.
 13. The case of claim 1 containing a plurality of vertical layers of articles and further including means preventing any substantial lateral movement of, and for maintaining spaced lateral separation of, the top and bottom portions of articles in adjoining vertical layers of said case.
 14. The case of claim 1 wherein a plurality of layers of packaged articles are employed further including a separator layer assembly disposed between adjacent layers of articles, said assembly comprising: a. a top indexing panel containing therein at least one female recess projecting in a substantially upright direction from said top indexing panel, said recess peripherally circumscribing at least a portion of the top section of an article in a first lower layer of the case; b. a first separator panel disposed above said top indexing panel, said first separator panel containing therein at least a single aperture peripherally circumscribing the portion of said upwardly projecting female recess of said top indexing panel into which said portion of the top section of said article is inserted; c. a bottom indexing panel, said bottom indexing panel containing therein at least one female recess projecting in a substantially downward direction from said bottom indexing panel, said recess peripherally circumscribing at least a portion of the bottom section of an article in a second upper layer in the case; d. a second separator panel disposed beneath said bottom indexing panel, said second separator panel containing therein at least a single aperture peripherally circumscribing the portion of said downwardly projecting female recess of said bottom indexing panel into which said portion of the bottom section of said article is inserted; and e. means maintaining said first and second separator panels in spaced relationship so as to allow the female recess of said top and bottom indexing panels to pass through, and be locked in place by, the aperture of said first and second separator panels, respectively.
 15. The case of claim 14 further including a third separator panel disposed between said first and second separator panels, said first and second separator panels each being maintained in spaced relationship from said third separator panel.
 16. The case of claim 14 wherein said means maintaining said first and second separator panels in spaced relationship comprises flaps foldably connected to the periphery of said first and second separator panels, the flaps of said first separator panel being folded upwardly and those of said second separator panel being folded downwardly, said folded flaps of said first and second separator panel communicating with each other to provide required spaced relationship.
 17. The case of claim 16 further including a third separator panel disposed between said first and second separator panels, said first and second separator panels each being maintained in spaced relationship from said third separator panel.
 18. The case of claim 17 wherein said first and second separator panels each further includes a plurality of fingers foldably attached, at one end, to said panels, said fingers projecting upwardly from said first separator panel and downwardly from said second separator panel and contacting a surface of sAid third separator panel, said fingers dimensioned to produce the desired spaced relationship between said first and second separator panels and said third separator panel.
 19. A case for the shipment of an article in a substantially upright position and in spaced lateral separation from adjoining articles and portions of said case, comprising:
 20. A case for the shipment of an article in a substantially upright position and in spaced lateral separation from adjointing articles and parts of said case, comprising: 